Police launch formal investigation into allegations of air quality data tampering at Cheshire East

The decision to formally investigate was announced this morning (Tuesday)

by Belinda Ryan

11:29, 19 Sep 2017Updated13:17, 19 Sep 2017

Cheshire East Council HQ in Sandbach

Cheshire Police has just announced it is to launch a formal investigation into allegations of air quality data tampering at Cheshire East Council.

The announcement comes as Cheshire East leader Rachel Bailey called an urgent meeting of all councillors at 10.30am today to update them on matters.

A statement released by Cheshire Police within the last few minutes, says: "A meeting has now taken place with representatives from Cheshire East Council, who had raised their concerns in relation to allegations of manipulated air quality data.

"Having carefully reviewed all the information, we can now confirm that there are sufficient grounds to proceed with a formal investigation."

The council confirmed last year it was looking at air quality data which had been sent to Defra (the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

In July of this year it released a statement to say incorrect information had been sent to the Government between 2012 and 2014.

The council has also released a statement in the past hour to say it has referred concerns about allocation of public funds in making a grant to Berkeley Academy in Crewe and also concerns about land purchases to the police.

The statement said: "Cheshire East Council can confirm that concerns about allegations of manipulated air quality data have been referred to Cheshire Constabulary. This is a result of the council’s ongoing work to address these concerns thoroughly and transparently.

"In addition, the council has referred concerns about allocation of public funds in making a grant to Berkeley Academy and also concerns about land purchases to the police.

"Police have now confirmed that they will be investigating."

Cheshire East leader Rachel Bailey said: “It is vital that these serious matters are dealt with fully and that if there has been any wrongdoing it is exposed. While a police investigation is a serious matter, I would like to reassure residents that the council itself has brought these matters forward in order to put things right.

“We will ensure that council services continue to be delivered to the high standards that residents have come to expect.

“As these matters are now subject to criminal investigation, we are unable to give more information at this time.